U.S. patent number 10,969,322 [Application Number 16/277,426] was granted by the patent office on 2021-04-06 for gas detecting device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to MICROJET TECHNOLOGY, LTD.. The grantee listed for this patent is Microjet Technology Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Yung-Lung Han, Chi-Feng Huang, Wei-Ming Lee, Ching-Sung Lin, Hao-Jan Mou.
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United States Patent |
10,969,322 |
Mou , et al. |
April 6, 2021 |
Gas detecting device
Abstract
A gas detecting device includes a main body, a gas sensing
module, a particulate measuring module and a control module. A
chamber is formed within the main body. The main body has a first
inlet, a second inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the
chamber. The gas sensing module includes a compartment body, a
carrying plate, a sensor and an actuator. The actuator introduces
ambient gas into the gas sensing module through the first inlet,
and the gas is measured by the sensor and discharged from the
outlet of the compartment body. The particulate measuring module is
disposed within the chamber of the main body and includes an inlet
channel, an outlet channel and a particulate detector. The gas is
introduced into the particulate measuring module through the inlet
channel, and a concentration of particulates in the gas is measured
by the particulate detector.
Inventors: |
Mou; Hao-Jan (Hsinchu,
TW), Lin; Ching-Sung (Hsinchu, TW), Huang;
Chi-Feng (Hsinchu, TW), Han; Yung-Lung (Hsinchu,
TW), Lee; Wei-Ming (Hsinchu, TW) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Microjet Technology Co., Ltd. |
Hsinchu |
N/A |
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
MICROJET TECHNOLOGY, LTD.
(Hsinchu, TW)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005469379 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/277,426 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20190331582 A1 |
Oct 31, 2019 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Apr 27, 2018 [TW] |
|
|
107114585 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N
15/0637 (20130101); G01N 15/0656 (20130101); F04B
43/046 (20130101); G01N 33/0073 (20130101); G01N
33/0067 (20130101); G01N 2015/0046 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01N
15/06 (20060101); G01N 33/00 (20060101); F04B
43/04 (20060101); G01N 15/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;73/28.01 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2905673 |
|
Aug 2015 |
|
EP |
|
201727068 |
|
Aug 2017 |
|
TW |
|
M553417 |
|
Dec 2017 |
|
TW |
|
M558353 |
|
Apr 2018 |
|
TW |
|
WO 2008/024138 |
|
Feb 2008 |
|
WO |
|
WO 2016/190957 |
|
Dec 2016 |
|
WO |
|
Primary Examiner: Sinha; Tarun
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Birch, Stewart, Kolasch &
Birch, LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A gas detecting device, comprising: a main body having a
portable size defined by a length, a width and a height, and having
a chamber, a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet, wherein the
chamber is formed within the main body, and the first inlet, the
second inlet and the outlet are in fluid communication with the
chamber; a gas sensing module comprising a compartment body, a
carrying plate, a sensor and an actuator, wherein the compartment
body is located under the first inlet of the main body and has a
partition plate disposed therein to divide an interior of the
compartment body into a first compartment and a second compartment,
and the partition plate has a notch for allowing the first
compartment and the second compartment to be in fluid communication
with each other, wherein the first compartment has an opening, the
second compartment has an outlet aperture, the carrying plate is
assembled on a bottom of the compartment body and is packaged on
and electrically connected to the sensor, the sensor penetrates the
opening and is disposed within the first compartment, the actuator
is disposed within the second compartment, and the actuator and the
sensor are separated from each other, wherein the actuator is
actuated to introduce ambient gas into the gas sensing module
through the first inlet, and the gas is measured by the sensor and
discharged from the outlet aperture of the second compartment; a
particulate measuring module disposed within the chamber of the
main body, and comprising an inlet channel, an outlet channel and a
particulate detector, wherein the particulate detector is disposed
within the particulate measuring module, the inlet channel is
aligned with the second inlet of the main body, and the outlet
channel is aligned with the outlet of the main body, wherein the
gas is introduced into the particulate measuring module through the
inlet channel, a concentration of particulates in the gas is
measured by the particulate detector and the gas is discharged from
the outlet channel; and a control module configured to control
actuations of the gas sensing module and the particulate measuring
module, and convert detection results of the gas sensing module and
the particulate measuring module into a monitoring value to be
stored and transmitted to an external connection device for
storage.
2. The gas detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the
length of the main body is in a range between 92 mm and 102 mm, the
width of the main body is in a range between 41 mm and 61 mm, and
the height of the main body is in a range between 19 mm and 23 mm
so as to form the portable size.
3. The gas detecting device according to claim 2, wherein the
length of the main body is 97 mm, the width of the main body is 51
mm, and the height of the main body is 21 mm.
4. The gas detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the
bottom of the compartment body has an accommodation recess for
allowing the carrying plate to be partially received and positioned
within so that the bottom of the compartment body is covered by the
carrying plate, wherein the carrying plate has an opening aligned
with the outlet aperture of the second compartment so that the gas
is discharged from the compartment body through the outlet aperture
of the second compartment and the opening of the carrying
plate.
5. The gas detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the
sensor is a gas sensor.
6. The gas detecting device according to claim 5, wherein the gas
sensor is at least one selected from a group consisting of an
oxygen sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor,
and combinations thereof.
7. The gas detecting device according to claim 5, wherein the gas
sensor is a volatile organic compound sensor.
8. The gas detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the
sensor is at least one selected from a group consisting of a
bacterial sensor, a virus sensor, a microorganism sensor, and
combinations thereof.
9. The gas detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the
actuator is a micro-electromechanical-systems gas pump.
10. The gas detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the
actuator is a gas pump, and the gas pump comprises: a gas inlet
plate having at least one inlet aperture, at least one convergence
channel and a convergence chamber, wherein the at least one inlet
aperture allows the gas to flow in, and the at least one
convergence channel is aligned with the at least one inlet aperture
and guides the gas from the inlet aperture toward the convergence
chamber; a resonance plate having a central aperture and a movable
part, wherein the central aperture is aligned with the convergence
chamber and the movable part surrounds the central aperture; and a
piezoelectric actuator aligned with the resonance plate; wherein a
chamber space is formed between the resonance plate and the
piezoelectric actuator, so that the gas from the at least one inlet
aperture of the gas inlet plate is converged to the convergence
chamber along the at least one convergence channel and flows into
the chamber space through the central aperture of the resonance
plate when the piezoelectric actuator is driven, whereby the gas is
further transported through a resonance between the piezoelectric
actuator and the movable part of the resonance plate.
11. The gas detecting device according to claim 10, wherein the
piezoelectric actuator comprises: a suspension plate having a first
surface, a second surface and a bulge, wherein the bulge is
disposed on the first surface; an outer frame arranged around the
suspension plate and having a coupling surface; at least one
connection component connected between the suspension plate and the
outer frame for elastically supporting the suspension plate; and a
piezoelectric element attached on the second surface of the
suspension plate to drive the suspension plate to undergo the
bending vibration in response to an applied voltage; wherein the at
least one connection component is formed between the suspension
plate and the outer frame, the first surface of the suspension
plate and the coupling surface of the outer frame are non-coplanar,
and a chamber gap is maintained between the first surface of the
suspension plate and the resonance plate.
12. The gas detecting device according to claim 10, wherein the gas
pump comprises a conducting plate and an insulation plate, and the
gas inlet plate, the resonance plate, the piezoelectric actuator,
the insulation plate and the conducting plate are stacked
sequentially.
13. The gas detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the
control module comprises a processor and a transmission module,
wherein the processor controls actuations of the transmission
module, the sensor of the gas sensing module and the particulate
detector of the particulate measuring module, the processor
analyzes and converts the detection results of the sensor and the
particulate detector into the monitoring value, and the
transmission module transmits the monitoring value to the external
connection device for storage.
14. The gas detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the
external connection device is at least one selected from the group
consisting of a cloud system, a portable device, a computer system,
and combinations thereof.
15. The gas detecting device according to claim 13, wherein the
control module further comprises a battery configured to store and
output electric power, the battery is electrically connected to a
power supply device for receiving and storing electric power from
the power supply device, the battery provides the processor with
the electric power, and the processor provides the gas sensing
module and the particulate measuring module with electric signal
and driving signal.
16. The gas detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the
particulate detector is a PM2.5 sensor.
17. A gas detecting device, comprising: at least one main body
having a portable size defined by at least one length, at least one
width and at least one height, and having at least one chamber, at
least one first inlet, at least one second inlet and at least one
outlet, wherein the chamber is formed within the main body, and the
first inlet, the second inlet and the outlet are in fluid
communication with the chamber; at least one gas sensing module
comprising at least one compartment body, at least one carrying
plate, at least one sensor and at least one actuator, wherein the
compartment body is located under the first inlet of the main body
and has at least one partition plate disposed therein to divide an
interior of the compartment body into at least one first
compartment and at least one second compartment, and the partition
plate has at least one notch for allowing the first compartment and
the second compartment to be in fluid communication with each
other, wherein the first compartment has at least one opening, the
second compartment has at least one outlet aperture, the carrying
plate is assembled on a bottom of the compartment body and is
packaged on and electrically connected to the sensor, the sensor
penetrates the opening and is disposed within the first
compartment, the actuator is disposed within the second
compartment, and the actuator and the sensor are separated from
each other, wherein the actuator is actuated to introduce ambient
gas into the gas sensing module through the first inlet, and the
gas is measured by the sensor and discharged from the outlet
aperture of the second compartment; at least one particulate
measuring module disposed within the chamber of the main body, and
comprising at least one inlet channel, at least one outlet channel
and at least one particulate detector, wherein the particulate
detector is disposed within the particulate measuring module, the
inlet channel is aligned with the second inlet of the main body,
and the outlet channel is aligned with the outlet of the main body,
wherein the gas is introduced into the particulate measuring module
through the inlet channel, a concentration of particulates in the
gas is measured by the particulate detector and the gas is
discharged from the outlet channel; and at least one control module
configured to control actuations of the gas sensing module and the
particulate measuring module, and convert detection results of the
gas sensing module and the particulate measuring module into a
monitoring value to be stored and transmitted to at least one
external connection device for storage.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure relates to a gas detecting device, and more
particularly to a slim and portable gas detecting device for
monitoring ambient gas.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Nowadays, people pay much attention to the air quality in the
environment. For example, it is important to monitor carbon
monoxide, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOC),
Particulate Matter (PM2.5), nitric oxide, sulfur monoxide, and so
on. Moreover, it is also important to monitor other particulate
matters contained in the gas. The exposures of these substances in
the environment will cause human health problems or even harm the
life. Therefore, it is important for every country to monitor the
air quality in the environment and help people escape or prevent
from the injuries.
Generally, it is feasible to use a gas sensor to monitor the air
quality in the environment. If the gas sensor is capable of
immediately providing people with the monitored information
relating to the environment for caution, it may help people escape
or prevent from the injuries and influence on human health caused
by the exposure of the substances described above in the
environment. In other words, the gas sensor is suitably used for
monitoring the ambient air in the environment.
Generally, portable devices are the mobile devices that are usually
carried by the people when they go out. Therefore, people pay much
attention to the portable device having a gas detecting module
embedded therein. More particularly, the developing trend of the
current portable device is light and slim while maintaining high
performance. Therefore, it is important to reduce the thickness of
the gas detecting module and assembly the gas detecting module in
the portable device for application and utilization.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a gas detecting
device, which is a slim-type portable device. The gas detecting
device includes a gas sensing module capable of monitoring the air
quality in the environment at any time and includes an actuator
actuated to guide the gas into the interior of the gas sensing
module rapidly and stably, so that the efficacy of the gas sensing
module is enhanced. Moreover, the actuator and a sensor of the gas
sensing module are separated from each other by the compartments of
a compartment body, the heat generated from the actuator is blocked
to reduce the influence on the sensor while the sensor monitors the
air quality. In such way, the monitoring accuracy of the sensor is
not adversely affected by the heat and other components (e.g., the
control module) within the gas detecting device. Consequently, the
gas detecting device can monitor the air quality in the environment
rapidly and accurately at anytime and anywhere. Furthermore, the
gas detecting device further includes a particulate measuring
module for measuring the concentration of the particulates in the
gas from the external environment and providing an external
connection device with the monitoring value. The external
connection device can obtain the information carried by the
monitoring value immediately and announce an alert to the user in
the environment so that the user can take preventive measures or
escape immediately, and the influence and injury to the human
health caused by the gas exposure in the environment will be
prevented.
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a gas
detecting device is provided. The gas detecting device includes a
main body, a gas sensing module, a particulate measuring module and
a control module. The main body has a portable size defined by a
length, a width and a height, and has a chamber, a first inlet, a
second inlet and an outlet. The chamber is disposed in the interior
of the main body and the first inlet, the second inlet and the
outlet are in communication with the chamber. The gas sensing
module includes a compartment body, a carrying plate, a sensor and
an actuator. The compartment body is located under the first inlet
of the main body. The compartment body has a partition plate, and
the interior of the compartment body is divided into a first
compartment and a second compartment by the partition plate. The
partition plate has a notch for allowing the first compartment and
the second compartment to be in fluid communication with each
other. The first compartment has an opening, and the second
compartment has an outlet aperture. The carrying plate is assembled
on a bottom of the compartment body and is packaged on and
electrically connected to the sensor. The sensor penetrates the
opening and is disposed within the first compartment. The actuator
is disposed within the second compartment, and the actuator and the
sensor are separated from each other. The actuator is actuated to
introduce ambient gas into the gas sensing module through the first
inlet, and the gas is measured by the sensor and discharged from
the outlet of the compartment body. The particulate measuring
module is disposed within the chamber of the main body, and
includes an inlet channel, an outlet channel and a particulate
detector. The particulate detector is disposed within the
particulate measuring module. The inlet channel is aligned with the
second inlet of the main body. The outlet channel is aligned with
the outlet of the main body. The gas is introduced into the
particulate measuring module through the inlet channel, a
concentration of particulates in the gas is measured by the
particulate detector and the gas is discharged from the outlet
channel. The control module controls the actuations and detecting
operations of the gas sensing module and the particulate measuring
module and converts the detection results of the gas sensing module
and the particulate measuring module into a monitoring value to be
stored and transmitted to an external connection device for
storage.
The above contents of the present disclosure will become more
readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after
reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying
drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view illustrating a gas
detecting device according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 1B is a schematic front view illustrating the gas detecting
device of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 1C is a schematic top view illustrating the gas detecting
device of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 1D is a schematic side view illustrating the gas detecting
device of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the gas
detecting device of FIG. 1B and taken along the line A-A;
FIG. 3A is a schematic perspective view illustrating the gas
sensing module of the gas detecting device according to the
embodiment of the present disclosure and taken along the front
side;
FIG. 3B is a schematic perspective view illustrating the gas
sensing module of the gas detecting device according to the
embodiment of the present disclosure and taken along the rear
side;
FIG. 3C is a schematic exploded view illustrating the gas sensing
module of the gas detecting device according to the embodiment of
the present disclosure;
FIG. 4A is a schematic exploded view illustrating the actuator of
the gas sensing module of the gas detecting device according to the
embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4B is a schematic exploded view illustrating the actuator of
FIG. 4A and taken along another viewpoint;
FIG. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the
actuator of FIG. 4A;
FIGS. 5B, 5C and 5D schematically illustrate the actions of the
actuator of FIG. 5A;
FIG. 6 schematically illustrates the flowing direction of the gas
in the gas sensing module of the gas detecting device according to
the embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary side view illustrating the
flowing direction of the gas in the gas sensing module of the gas
detecting device according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a particulate
measuring module and a control module of the gas detecting device
according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram illustrating the architecture
of gas detecting device according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present disclosure will now be described more specifically with
reference to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that the
following descriptions of preferred embodiments of this disclosure
are presented herein for purpose of illustration and description
only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the
precise form disclosed.
Please refer to FIGS. 1 to 3C, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. The present
discourse provides a gas detecting device including at least one
main body 1, at least one gas sensing module 2, at least one
particulate measuring module 3, at least one control module 4, at
least one length L, at least one width W, at least one height H, at
least one chamber 11, at least one first inlet 12, at least one
second inlet 13, at least one outlet 14, at least one compartment
body 21, at least one carrying plate 22, at least one sensor 23, at
least one actuator 24, at least one partition plate 211, at least
one first compartment 212, at least one second compartment 213, at
least one notch 214, at least one opening 215, at least one outlet
aperture 216, at least one inlet channel 31, at least one outlet
channel 32, at least one particulate detector, at least one
monitoring value and at least one external connection device 5. The
number of the main body 1, the gas sensing module 2, the
particulate measuring module 3, the control module 4, the length L,
the width W, the height H, the chamber 11, the first inlet 12, the
second inlet 13, the outlet 14, the compartment body 21, the
carrying plate 22, the sensor 23, the actuator 24, the partition
plate 211, the first compartment 212, the second compartment 213,
the notch 214, the opening 215, the outlet aperture 216, the inlet
channel 31, the outlet channel 32, the particulate detector, the
monitoring value and the external connection device 5 is
exemplified by one for each in the following embodiments but not
limited thereto. It is noted that each of the main body 1, the gas
sensing module 2, the particulate measuring module 3, the control
module 4, the length L, the width W, the height H, the chamber 11,
the first inlet 12, the second inlet 13, the outlet 14, the
compartment body 21, the carrying plate 22, the sensor 23, the
actuator 24, the partition plate 211, the first compartment 212,
the second compartment 213, the notch 214, the opening 215, the
outlet aperture 216, the inlet channel 31, the outlet channel 32,
the particulate detector, the monitoring value and the external
connection device 5 can also be provided in plural numbers.
Please refer to FIGS. 1A to 1D and FIG. 2. The present disclosure
provides a gas detecting device. The gas detecting device includes
a main body 1, a gas sensing module 2, a particulate measuring
module 3 and a control module 4. In order to make the gas detecting
device slim and portable, the structure of the gas detecting device
is specially designed to be held easily, less prone to slip off the
grasp, and carried around conveniently for the user. In this
embodiment, the main body 1 may be a thinned cuboid body with a
portable size. The portable size is defined by a length L, a width
W and a height H. The gas sensing module 2, the particulate
measuring module 3 and the control module 4 are disposed in the
main body 1 by an optimal arrangement manner. The size of the main
body 1 is specially designed as follows so as to achieve the
optimal arrangement: the length L of the main body 1 is in the
range between 92 mm and 102 mm, the width W of the main body 1 is
in the range between 41 mm and 61 mm, and the height H of the main
body 1 is in the range between 19 mm and 23 mm. Preferably, the
length L is 97 mm, the width W is 51 mm, and the height H is 21 mm.
Consequently, the gas detecting device is held easily, less prone
to slip off the grasp, and carried around conveniently for the
user. Moreover, a chamber 11 is formed in the interior of the main
body 1. The main body 1 has a first inlet 12, a second inlet 13 and
an outlet 14, which are in fluid communication with the chamber
11.
Please refer to FIG. 2 and FIGS. 3A to 3C, the gas sensing module 2
is disposed in the chamber 11. In this embodiment, the gas sensing
module 2 includes a compartment body 21, a carrying plate 22, a
sensor 23 and an actuator 24. The compartment body 21 is located
under the first inlet 12 of the main body 1. The compartment body
21 includes a partition plate 211, and the interior of the
compartment body 21 is divided into a first compartment 212 and a
second compartment 213 by the partition plate 211. The partition
plate 211 has a notch 214 for allowing the first compartment 212
and the second compartment 213 to be in fluid communication with
each other. The first compartment 212 has an opening 215. The
second compartment 213 has an outlet aperture 216. The bottom of
the compartment body 21 has an accommodation recess 217. The
accommodation recess 217 allows the carrying plate 22 to be
partially received and positioned therein, so that the bottom of
the compartment body 21 is covered by the carrying plate 22. The
edge of the bottom of the compartment body 21 is sealed by the
carrying plate 22. The carrying plate 22 has an opening 221. The
sensor 23 is packaged on and electrically connected to the carrying
plate 22. In such way, the carrying plate 22 is assembled on the
bottom of the compartment body 21. The opening 221 is aligned with
the outlet aperture 216 of the second compartment 213. The sensor
23 penetrates the opening 215 of the first compartment 212 and is
disposed within the first compartment 212 for measuring the gas
within the first compartment 212. The actuator 24 is disposed
within the second compartment 213. Since the actuator 24 in the
second compartment 213 and the sensor 23 in the first compartment
212 are separated from each other by the partition plate 211, the
heat generated from the actuator 24 is blocked by the partition
plate 211 while the actuator 24 is actuated. In such way, the
detection result of the sensor 23 is not adversely affected.
Moreover, the actuator 24 covers the bottom of the second
compartment 213 and is actuated to generate the flow of gas. The
gas is transported through the outlet aperture 216 of the second
compartment 213, and then the gas is transported through the
opening 221 of the carrying plate 22 and discharged from the
compartment body 21. That is, the gas is transported and then
discharged into the environment outside the compartment body 21 via
the outlet aperture 216 and the opening 221.
Please refer to FIGS. 3A to 3C again. In an embodiment, the
carrying plate 22 may be a circuit board and includes a connector
222 disposed thereon for allowing a flexible circuit board (not
shown) to be inserted thereinto. Consequently, the carrying plate
22 is electrically connected to and in signal communication with
the flexible circuit board through the connector 222.
Please refer to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5A. In an embodiment, the actuator
24 is a gas pump. The actuator 24 includes a gas inlet plate 241, a
resonance plate 242, a piezoelectric actuator 243, an insulation
plate 244 and a conducting plate 245, which are stacked on each
other sequentially. The gas inlet plate 241 has at least one inlet
aperture 241a, at least one convergence channel 241b and a
convergence chamber 241c. The number of the inlet aperture 241a is
the same as the number of the convergence channel 241b. In this
embodiment, the number of the inlet apertures 241a and the
convergence channels 241b is exemplified by four for each but not
limited thereto. The four inlet apertures 241a penetrate through
the four convergence channels 241b respectively, and the four
convergence channels 241b converge to the convergence chamber
241c.
The resonance plate 242 is assembled on the gas inlet plate 241 by
attaching. The resonance plate 242 has a central aperture 242a, a
movable part 242b and a fixed part 242c. The central aperture 242a
is located in the center of the resonance plate 242 and is aligned
with the convergence chamber 241c of the gas inlet plate 241. The
region of the resonance plate 242 around the central aperture 242a
and corresponding to the convergence chamber 241c is the movable
part 242b. The region of the periphery of the resonance plate 242
securely attached on the gas inlet plate 241 is the fixed part
242c.
The piezoelectric actuator 243 includes a suspension plate 243a, an
outer frame 243b, at least one connection component 243c, a
piezoelectric element 243d, at least one vacant space 243e and a
bulge 243f. The suspension plate 243a is square, and has a first
surface 2431a and a second surface 2432a. The first surface 2431a
and the second surface 2432a are opposed to each other. The outer
frame 243b is disposed around the periphery of the suspension plate
243a. The outer frame 243b has a coupling surface 2431b and a
bottom surface 2432b opposite to the coupling surface 2431b. The at
least one connection component 243c is connected between the
suspension plate 243a and the outer frame 243b for elastically
supporting the suspension plate 243a. The at least one vacant space
243e is formed among the suspension plate 243a, the outer frame
243b and the at least one connection component 243c for allowing
the gas to flow through. The bulge 243f is formed on the first
surface 2431a of the suspension plate 243a. In this embodiment, the
formation of the bulge 243f may be completed by using an etching
process, in which the region between the periphery of the bulge
243f and the periphery of the suspension plate 243a is partially
removed. Accordingly, the bulge 243f of the suspension plate 243a
is higher than the first surface 2431a, and a stepped structure is
formed.
As shown in FIG. 5A, in this embodiment, the suspension plate 243a
may be processed by a stamping method, by which the outer frame
243b, the connection component 243c, and the suspension plate 243a
have a concave profile in cross section. The stamping method makes
the suspension plate 33a disposed further away from the resonance
plate 32 a distance D, which can be adjusted by the at least one
connection component 243c formed between the suspension plate 243a
and the outer frame 243b. Consequently, the top surface 2431f of
the bulge 243f and the first surface 2431a of the suspension plate
243a are not coplanar with the coupling surface 2431b of the outer
frame 243b. Namely, the top surface 2431f of the bulge 243f and the
first surface 2431a are lower than the coupling surface 2431b of
the outer frame 243b, and the second surface 2432a of the
suspension plate 243a is lower than the bottom surface 2432b of the
outer frame 243b. In the embodiment, the piezoelectric element 243d
is attached on the second surface 2432a of the suspension plate
243a and aligned with the bulge 243f. In response to an applied
voltage, the piezoelectric element 243d is deformed by the
piezoelectric effect to drive the suspension plate 243a to undergo
the bending vibration. By utilizing a small amount of adhesive
applied to the coupling surface 2431b of the outer frame 243b, the
piezoelectric actuator 243 is attached to the fixed part 242c of
the resonance plate 242 after heat pressing, thereby assembling the
piezoelectric actuator 243 and the resonance plate 242 in
combination. In addition, the insulation plate 244 and the
conducting plate 245 are both thin frame-shaped sheets, which are
sequentially stacked under the piezoelectric actuator 243. In the
embodiment, the insulation plate 244 is attached to the bottom
surface 2432b of the outer frame 243b of the piezoelectric actuator
243.
Please refer to FIG. 5A again. After the gas inlet plate 241, the
resonance plate 242, the piezoelectric actuator 243, the insulation
plate 244 and the conducting plate 245 of the actuator 24 are
stacked and assembled sequentially, a chamber gap g is formed
between the first surface 2431a of the suspension plate 243a and
the resonance plate 242. Since the distance between the suspension
plate 243a and the resonance plate 242 will influence the
transportation effect of the actuator 24, it is very important to
maintain the chamber gap g for providing a stable transportation
efficiency of the actuator 24. The suspension plate 243a of the
actuator 24 is processed by the stamping method as described above,
and it makes the suspension plate 243a disposed further away from
the resonance plate 32. Consequently, the first surface 2431a of
the suspension plate 243a and the coupling surface 2431b of the
outer frame 243b are non-coplanar. Namely, the top surface 2431f
and the first surface 2431a of the suspension plate 243a are lower
than the coupling surface 2431b of the outer frame 243b, and the
second surface 2432a of the suspension plate 243a is lower than the
bottom surface 2432b of the outer frame 243b. In this way, the
entire structure may be improved by adopting the stamping method to
process the suspension plate 243a. The space between the suspension
plate 243a of the piezoelectric actuator 243 and the resonance
plate 242 is adjustable due to the stamping method, by which the
adjustable chamber gap g is realized. That is, the design of a
chamber space 246 is improved by processing the suspension plate
243a of the piezoelectric actuator 243 to be disposed further away
from the resonance plate 242. The desired chamber gap g can be
satisfied by simply adjusting the distance D, as described above.
It simplifies the structural design regarding the adjustment of the
chamber gap g, and it also achieves the advantages of simplifying
the process and shortening the processing time.
FIGS. 5B and 5D are schematic views illustrating actions of the
actuator of FIG. 5A. Please refer to FIG. 5B firstly. When the
piezoelectric element 243d of the piezoelectric actuator 243 is
deformed in response to an applied voltage, the suspension plate
243a is driven to displace in the direction away from the gas inlet
plate 241. In that, the volume of the chamber space 246 is
increased, a negative pressure is formed in the chamber space 246,
and the gas in the convergence chamber 241c is inhaled into the
chamber space 246. At the same time, the resonance plate 242 is in
resonance and thus displaced synchronously in the direction away
from the gas inlet plate 241. Thereby, the volume of the
convergence chamber 241c is increased. Since the gas in the
convergence chamber 241c flows into the chamber space 246, the
convergence chamber 241c is also in a negative pressure state, and
the gas is sucked into the convergence chamber 241c by flowing
through the inlet aperture 241a and the convergence channel 241b.
Please refer to FIG. 5C, the piezoelectric element 243d drives the
suspension plate 243a to be displaced toward the gas inlet plate
241 to compress the chamber space 246. Thus, the gas contained in
the chamber space 246 is transported to flow through the vacant
spaces 243e in the direction away from the gas inlet plate 241 and
it achieves the effect of gas transportation. Similarly, the
resonance plate 242 is actuated in resonance by the suspension
plate 243a and displaced toward the gas inlet plate 241. Thus, the
gas contained in convergence chamber 241c is compressed
synchronously to flow to the chamber space 246. Finally, as shown
in FIG. 5D. When the suspension plate 243a is driven to displace in
the direction away from the gas inlet plate 241, the resonance
plate 242 is also driven to displace in the direction away from the
gas inlet plate 241 at the same time. In that, the resonance plate
242 pushes the gas in the chamber space 246 toward the vacant space
243e, and the volume of the convergence chamber 241c is increased.
Thus, the gas can continuously flow through the inlet aperture 241a
and the convergence channel 241b and be converged in the
convergence chamber 241c. By repeating the actions shown in the
above continuously, the actuator 24 can continuously inhale the gas
through the inlet aperture 241a and transport the gas through the
vacant spaces 243e in the direction away from the gas inlet plate
241. It achieves the effect of transporting the gas to the sensor
23 for detecting, thereby improving the detecting efficiency.
Please refer to FIG. 5A again. In another embodiment, the actuator
24 can be a micro-electromechanical-systems gas pump formed by a
micro-electromechanical-systems method. The gas inlet plate 241,
the resonance plate 242, the piezoelectric actuator 243, the
insulation plate 244, and the conducting plate 245 can all be made
through a surface micromachining technique to reduce the volume of
the actuator 24.
Please refer to FIGS. 6 and 7. The gas sensing module 2 is embedded
in the chamber 11 of the main body 1. FIG. 6 schematically
illustrates the flowing direction of the gas in the gas sensing
module 2 disposed in the main body 1. For ease of discussion, the
main body 1 is not clearly shown. The first inlet 12 of the main
body 1 is aligned with the first compartment 212 of the compartment
body 21. The first inlet 12 of the main body 1 and the sensor 23
within the first compartment 212 are not aligned with each other.
That is, the first inlet 12 is not disposed directly above the
sensor 23, and the first inlet 12 and the sensor 23 are misaligned
with each other. When the actuator 24 is actuated, a negative
pressure is formed in the second compartment 213, so that the
ambient gas around the main body 1 is inhaled into the first
compartment 212 through the first inlet 12 and the sensor 23 within
the first compartment 212 measures the gas flowing through the
surface of the sensor 23 so as to monitor air quality around the
main body 1. As the actuator 24 is actuated continuously, the gas
is transported to the second compartment 213 through the notch 214
of the partition plate 211, and then the gas is discharged from the
compartment body 21 through the outlet aperture 216 and the opening
221 of the carrying plate 22. In such way, the gas is guided along
a single direction A (illustrated in FIG. 6).
In this embodiment, the sensor 23 can be at least one selected from
the group consisting of an oxygen sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor,
a carbon dioxide sensor, a temperature sensor, an ozone sensor, a
volatile organic compound sensor and combinations thereof. In some
embodiments, the sensor 23 can be at least one selected from the
group consisting of a bacterial sensor, a virus sensor, a
microorganism sensor and combinations thereof.
From the above descriptions, the gas sensing module 2 of the gas
detecting device is capable of monitoring the air quality in the
environment in any time. As the actuator 24 is actuated, the gas is
guided into the interior of the gas sensing module 2 rapidly and
stably, so that the sensing efficacy of the sensor 23 is enhanced.
Since the sensor 23 in the first compartment 212 and the actuator
24 in the second compartment 213 are separated from each other by
the partition plate 211, the heat generated from the actuator 24 is
blocked by the partition plate 211. In such way, the detection
result of the sensor 23 is not adversely affected by the heat and
other components within the gas detecting device. In other words,
the gas detecting device can monitor the air quality in the
environment rapidly and accurately at anytime and anywhere.
FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a particulate
measuring module and a control module of the gas detecting device
according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. In an
embodiment, the gas detecting device further includes a particulate
measuring module 3 for detecting the particulates in the gas. The
particulate measuring module 3 is disposed in the chamber 11 of the
main body 1. As shown in FIG. 8, the particulate measuring module 3
includes an inlet channel 31, an outlet channel 32 and a
particulate detector (not shown). The particulate detector is
disposed within the particulate measuring module 3. The inlet
channel 31 is aligned with the second inlet 13 of the main body 1.
The outlet channel 32 is aligned with the outlet 14 of the main
body 1. After the ambient gas is introduced into the particulate
measuring module 3 through the inlet channel 31, the concentration
of the particulates in the gas is measured by the particulate
detector. Then, the gas is discharged from the outlet channel 32
and finally discharged through the outlet 14 into the environment
outside the main body 1. In this embodiment, the particulate
detector may be a PM2.5 sensor.
Please refer to FIGS. 8 and 9. In this embodiment, the control
module 4 further includes a processor 41 and a transmission module
42. The processor 41 is electrically connected to the transmission
module 42, the gas sensing module 2 and the particulate measuring
module 3 for controlling actuations of the transmission module 42,
the sensor 23 and the actuator 24 of the gas sensing module 2, and
the particulate detector of the particulate measuring module 3. The
processor 41 analyzes detecting results from the sensor 23 and the
particulate detector, and converters the analysis result into a
monitoring value to be stored. The transmission module 42 transmits
the monitoring value to an external connection device 5 for
storage. The external connection device 5 may be at least one
selected from the group consisting of a cloud system, a portable
electronic device, a computer system, a display device and
combinations thereof. The external connection device 5 is
configured to display information carried by the monitoring value
and announce an alert.
In this embodiment, the transmission module 42 transmits the
monitoring value to the external connection device 5 via a wired
transmission technology or a wireless transmission technology. The
transmission module 42 is a wired transmission module, which may be
at least one selected from the group consisting of a USB (Universal
Serial Bus) transmission module, a mini-USB transmission module
(see the reference number C of FIG. 1D), a micro-USB transmission
module and combinations thereof. Alternatively, the transmission
module 42 is a wireless transmission module, which may be at least
one selected from the group consisting of a Wi-Fi transmission
module, a Bluetooth transmission module, a radio frequency
identification (RFID) transmission module, a near field
communication (NFC) transmission module and combinations thereof.
The control module 4 further includes a battery 43. The battery 43
is configured to store and output the electric energy. Moreover,
the battery 43 can be connected to a power supply device 6 for
receiving and storing the electric energy from the power supply
device 6. The battery 43 provides the processor 41 with the
electric energy, and the processor 41 issues electric signal and
driving signal to control actuations of the gas sensing module 2
and the particulate measuring module 3. The electric energy from
the power supply device 6 is transmitted to the battery 43 via the
wired transmission technology or the wireless transmission
technology.
From the above descriptions, the present disclosure provides the
gas detecting device. The gas sensing module of the gas detecting
device is capable of monitoring the air quality in the environment
at any time. When the actuator is actuated, the gas is guided into
the interior of the gas sensing module quickly and stably, so that
the efficacy of the gas sensing module is enhanced. Moreover, the
actuator in the second compartment and the sensor in the first
compartment are separated from each other by the partition plate,
the heat generated from the actuator is blocked by the partition
plate to reduce the influence on the sensor while the sensor
monitors the air quality. In such way, the detection result of the
sensor is not adversely affected by the heat and other components
(e.g., the control module) within the gas detecting device.
Consequently, the gas detecting device can monitor the air quality
in the environment rapidly and accurately at anytime and anywhere.
Furthermore, the gas detecting device further includes a
particulate measuring module for measuring the concentration of the
particulates in the gas from the external environment and
transmitting the monitoring value to the external connection
device. The external connection device can obtain the information
carried by the monitoring value and announce an alert to the user
in the environment immediately so that the user can take preventive
measures or escape immediately, and the influence and injury to the
human health caused by the gas exposure in the environment will be
prevented.
While the disclosure has been described in terms of what is
presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure needs not
be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is
intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which
are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to
encompass all such modifications and similar structures.
* * * * *